Yousef Alavi

ALAVI, Yousef
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2013. He was born March 19, 1928 in Ahwaz, Iran, a son of Kazem and Kadeeja Rais Alavi and had lived in the United States since 1948. Dr. Alavi was a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Western Michigan University for 39 years. While at WMU, Dr. Alavi was active in the Mathematical Association of America, holding office in the Michigan Section of the MAA. He was instrumental in the International Graph Theory Conference, which was held every 4 years at WMU, and serving as the Director for all 8 conferences. He served as the Department Chair in Mathematics from 1989 until 1992 and was the coordinator of the Mathematics Graduate program for many years. He was also a member of the American Mathematical Society, where he served as the Public Information Officer for the International Congress of Mathematicians, which was held at the University of California, Berkley Campus in 1986. Dr. Alavi was the first faculty to receive the Distinguished Service Award at WMU. He organized and directed the Mathematics Department Colloquium for several years. In recognition of his service to the Mathematics Department, a room in Everett Tower was named for him, Alavi Commons. He was a dedicated teacher to his students and to his profession. On September 7, 1960, he married Hoda Behbehani Boustani, who survives; he is also survived by a son, Kayvon Alavi; three sisters, Fakhri Alavi Law of CA, Mehri Alavi Kashey and Afsar Alavi both of France. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Mohammad Ali Alavi, Mehdy Alavi, Nooradine Alavi and Dr. Hamid Alavi. Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 23 at 12:00 Noon at Riverside Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Yousef Alavi Fund, C/O the W.M.U. Foundation, 1903 W. Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5403. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI.